Duchy of Urnst
Proper Name: Duchy Palatine of Urnst
Ruler: His Most Lordly Grace Karll Lorinar, the
Duke of Urnst, Warden of the Abbor-Alz (CG male
human Rgr13)
Government: Independent feudal monarchy with
hereditary rulership, owing fealty (in theory only) to
the old Great Kingdom; duke advised in all matters
by the Honorable Chamber, a delegation of noble
and high-born Suel
Capital: Leukish
Major Towns: Goldplain (pop. 6,700), Leukish (pop.
22,300), Nellix (pop. 13,400), Nyrstran (pop. 8,600),
Pontyrel (pop. 7,550), Seltaren (pop. 9,800)
Provinces: Fifteen low counties (each subdivided
into various baronies and townships) and four wild
marches: Cairn Hills [most of this march was
recently given to Greyhawk], Western Abbor-Alz,
Eastern Abbor-Alz, and Celadon Forest.
Resources: Foodstuffs, silver, electrum, gold, platinum,
gems (I-IV)
Coinage: [Modified Aerdy] sterling duke (pp), gold
duke (gp), bright (ep), shield (sp), common (cp)
Population: 751,850—Human 79% (S), Halfling 9%
(lightfoot 80%, tallfellow 20%), Elf 5% (sylvan),
Dwarf 3% (hill), Gnome 2%, Half-elf 1%, Half-orc 1%
Languages: Common, Halfling, Elven
Alignments: LG, NG*, N
Religions: St. Cuthbert (among rural folk), Pelor,
halfling pantheon, Lydia
Allies: County of Urnst, Greyhawk (distrusted),
Nyrond (distrusted), Furyondy
Enemies: Iuz, Bright Lands, Rhennee
Overview: Urnst is blessed with ample access to both the Nyr Dyv and the Nesser River, waterways that provide critical passage for the duchy's legendary mineral wealth and foodstuffs (mostly seasoned sausages and rye).
Likewise gifted with a moderate climate, the farms of Urnst produce crops in all but the deepest winter Summer rains commonly flood the banks of the Nesser well south of the capital; wise farmers construct low stone walls around their fields, building outbuildings on short stilts. The famous rolling foothills of the north prevent serious flooding there, and make for breathtaking landscapes remembered in travelogues read across the Flanaess.
Though Urnst enjoys natural defenses on every
border, standing border armies have long augmented
the nation's strength. Problems from the old Bandit
Kingdoms, Rhennee, desert nomads, primitive hill
folk, and the odd band of ravaging nonhumans have
found swift solutions under the well trained hooves
of the Bar Rampant, Duke Karll's elite cavalry, stationed
in Seltaren.